Written Answers Monday 15 June 2009

Scottish Executive

Ambulance Service

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost of reimbursing volunteer ambulance drivers was in each year since 1997, expressed in both real and cash terms, also broken down by regional ambulance division.

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average annual mileage of volunteer ambulance drivers was in each year since 1997, also broken down by regional ambulance division.

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive (a) how many and (b) what proportion of volunteer ambulance drivers have exceeded a total of 10,000 miles per annum in each year since 1997, also broken down by regional ambulance division.

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total annual cost of the Scottish Ambulance Service using taxis to transport patients to appointments was in each year since 1997, expressed in (a) real terms, (b) cash terms and (c) as a proportion of total expenditure on reimbursing volunteer drivers, also broken down by regional ambulance division.

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patient journeys to health-related appointments by (a) volunteer driver and (b) taxi the Scottish Ambulance Service funded in each year since 1997.

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) longest and (b) average return journey undertaken was by (i) a volunteer ambulance driver and (ii) an ambulance service funded taxi in each regional ambulance division in each year since 1997.

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per journey to the Scottish Ambulance Service of transporting a patient to a health appointment was by (a) volunteer driver and (b) taxi in each year since 1997, also broken down by regional ambulance division.

Nicola Sturgeon: The information requested is not held centrally.

Animal Welfare

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to ban the use of wild animals in circuses.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is unable to introduce secondary legislation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 to ban the use of wild animals in circuses because the Radford Report, issued on 20 November on the welfare of non-domesticated animals in travelling circuses, concluded that there was a lack of evidence to show that there were welfare problems with these animals. Regulations made under Part 2 of the act must be for the purpose of securing the welfare of animals.

Animal Welfare

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24371 by Richard Lochhead on 5 June 2009, when the Scottish Seals Forum will next meet to start consideration of the animal welfare issues arising from the proposed licensing scheme for seal killing.

Richard Lochhead: No date has been fixed for the next meeting of the Scottish Seals Forum. It is likely to take place in the autumn, when it will discuss the proposed new seal licensing system.

Animal Welfare

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24239 by Richard Lochhead on 5 June 2009, whether it is aware that the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued a consultation on the welfare of racing greyhounds.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is aware that the UK Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued a consultation on the welfare of racing greyhounds.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what priority it attaches to protecting sea eagles.

Roseanna Cunningham: At present, the sea eagle is the only species listed on Schedule 1A and A1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which respectively list bird species whose nest sites are protected and bird species which are protected from harassment. The on-going sea eagle reintroduction programme is one of the most important and successful conservation programmes in the UK. The Scottish Government and its conservation agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), plays an active role in supporting this. SNH's Species Action Framework includes the sea eagle as one of the priority species for concerted action to improve its conservation status.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it is putting in place to allow crofters to develop plans to assist in addressing their concerns regarding losses arising from sea eagles taking lambs, once management schemes are transferred to the Scotland Rural Development Programme.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to operate the scoring and assessment system for measures associated with reducing the predation of lambs by sea eagles.

Roseanna Cunningham: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is in the process of drawing up an option which would provide assistance with measures intended to address management of sea eagle predation on live lambs for future inclusion in the Rural Priorities component of the Scotland Rural Development Programme. The design of this option will be based on information and evidence derived from earlier research studies, from past and current management schemes and from the current research in the Gairloch area. Any new Rural Priorities option will need to be approved by the European Commission. In the meantime, the existing schemes operated by SNH will continue.

Birds

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will issue guidance on the priority that it will give to applications from crofters on measures to reduce the predation of lambs by sea eagles.

Roseanna Cunningham: : I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-24508 on 15 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

  Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) is also proposing to draw up guidance on practical management approaches which would assist crofters and sheep farmers to minimise any losses of live lambs from sea eagle predation.

Central Heating Programme

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether central heating systems installed under the (a) current and (b) previous central heating programmes are guaranteed and, if so, what the guarantee period is.

Alex Neil: All central heating systems installed under the central heating programme and under Stage 4 of the Energy Assistance Package are covered by a full parts and labour warranty for 12 months, following the date of installation.

Economic Recovery Programme

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will indicate when the next update of its Economic Recovery Programme will be published.

John Swinney: I am pleased to announce that the latest update of the Scottish Economic Recovery Programme, Preparing for Recovery , is being published on 15 June 2009 and will be available through the Scottish Government’s website. Copies will also be placed with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre when available (Bib. number 48398).

Education

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that IT education remains an integral part of the school system.

Keith Brown: Under the Curriculum for Excellence framework, which has been developed on the basis of unparalleled engagement with the teaching profession and others, all young people are entitled to a broad general education to the end of S3, covering learning across the whole curriculum. The inclusion in the framework of a range of experiences and outcomes covering technology skills and development will ensure that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) remains an integral part of learning.

  Across the curriculum, skills in ICT will be developed in the context of the learning and teaching as appropriate to the child or young person’s maturity. All teachers, in all sectors, in all departments and in all settings, have opportunities to apply, reinforce and extend ICT skills within and across curriculum areas to equip children and young people with the learning and employability skills required for the 21st century.

Education

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to introduce a basic food preparation course for every post-S2 pupil.

Keith Brown: The experiences and outcomes for health and wellbeing from three to 15 within Curriculum for Excellence, together with guidance for local authorities and schools on their duty under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007, describe the expectations for promoting the health and wellbeing of children in school. Among other things, pupils will learn about all aspects of healthy eating, from creating healthy food options to understanding hygienic practices and developing an awareness of various food issues, including sourcing, production and its environmental impact.

  The experiences and outcomes have been released in hard copy and a fully interactive web version:

  http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/healthandwellbeing/index.asp.

  Educational establishments should be planning to introduce approaches based on these from August 2009 and to plan fully on the basis of the new guidance from August 2010.

  Following the recent consultation on the Next Generation of National Qualifications for Scotland we will review with Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) all qualifications, including those in food related subjects, updating them to reflect the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence.

Employment

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the new jobs provided by it through the new local employment partnership will be made available to the 160 individuals made redundant by Skills Development Scotland.

Fiona Hyslop: The Local Employment Partnership (LEP) agreement signed by the Scottish Government will not create new jobs but commits the Scottish Government to working with Jobcentre Plus to ensure the priority group customers have access to vacancies as they arise. Newly unemployed individuals are one such priority group.

  Irrespective of the LEP agreement, ex-Skills Development Scotland staff can currently apply for any Scottish Government vacancies that arise.

Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it anticipates, as predicted, that Scotland’s share of the money estimated to be available from dormant bank and building society accounts will remain at £40 million.

Jim Mather: In November 2008, the British Bankers’ Association and the Building Societies Association estimated that there may be between £250 million and £350 million of unclaimed funds in banks and up to £130 million in building societies. On this basis, the initial Scottish share would be around £40 million. Further accounts will become dormant in future years. Actual funding levels will depend on the banks taking part in the scheme and on the effectiveness of industry-led initiatives to reunite customers with their accounts.

Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria it will use in determining the beneficiaries of funds from dormant bank and building society accounts.

Jim Mather: Scottish ministers are currently considering their priorities for dormant bank and building society accounts funds as the basis for an Order, providing the purposes for which and the kind of persons to which the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland may distribute those funds.

Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make an announcement on the allocation of funds from dormant bank and building society accounts.

Jim Mather: A debate in the Parliament on the draft Order (under affirmative procedure) setting out the proposed priorities is currently expected to take place around October 2009.

Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects funding from dormant bank and building society accounts to become available in Scotland.

Jim Mather: It is anticipated that the Big Lottery Fund, identified in the UK Act as the fund distributor, will open the fund for business during 2010. This is dependent on the appointment and operation of the Reclaim Fund at the UK level.

Fisheries

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the National Salmon Fjords initiative in Norway and whether it considers that a similar designation could be introduced for Scottish sea lochs that have important native salmon and sea trout runs.

Roseanna Cunningham: We are aware of this initiative. There is an existing presumption against aquaculture development on the east coast of the Scottish mainland. Nevertheless, the Scottish Government is keen to share learning with the Norwegian Government, and hopes to do so under the auspices of the developing Memorandum of Understanding on Aquaculture with the Norwegian Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs.

Homecoming Scotland

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has assessed the economic impact of Homecoming Scotland in (a) Ayrshire and (b) North Ayrshire since January 2009.

Jim Mather: One of the core aims of Homecoming Scotland is to deliver additional tourism visits and revenue for Scotland. An extensive and robust monitoring and evaluation process is underway to measure the impact of Homecoming Scotland. The results of this exercise will be available after the Homecoming year has come to an end. It is not practical or cost efficient to assess the impacts on a regional basis throughout the year. All events within the Homecoming programme that are receiving funding are being evaluated on an individual basis and this will allow for some assessment of the economic impact of Homecoming Scotland on a regional basis as part of the overall evaluation programme.

Homecoming Scotland

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an increase in the number of tourists visiting Ayrshire as a result of Homecoming Scotland.

Jim Mather: One of the core aims of Homecoming Scotland is to deliver additional tourism visits and revenue for Scotland. An extensive and robust monitoring and evaluation process is underway to measure the impact of Homecoming Scotland. The results of this exercise will be available after the Homecoming year has come to an end. It is not practical or cost efficient to assess the impacts on a regional basis throughout the year. All events within the Homecoming programme that are receiving funding are being evaluated on an individual basis and this will allow for some assessment of the impact of Homecoming Scotland in terms of visitor numbers in regions across Scotland.

Housing

Gil Paterson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will indicate how much of the funding consequentials arising from the UK Budget 2009 it intends to allocate to housing in Scotland.

John Swinney: As a result of the funding consequentials from the UK Budget, we are allocating an extra £31 million in 2009-10 to boost affordable housing supply in Scotland. This will include new funds to accelerate and sustain investment in new housing developments for affordable rent across the country, and also funding to kick-start and unblock private developments to help deliver homes for mid-market rent and for low cost ownership. We are maintaining flexibility in the precise allocation of the funding to ensure value for money for government and to maximise the opportunities to meet housing need and sustain jobs in the construction sector.

Justice

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many direct measures have been issued for (a) assault and (b) assault to injury in each month between 1 February and 31 May 2009, broken down by sheriff court.

Frank Mulholland: The following tables show the number of charges of (a) assault and (b) assault to injury where the initial decision taken by the procurator fiscal was to deal with the offending behaviour by means of a direct measure.

  The figures show that 7.6 per cent of all assault charges (where no injury was sustained) and 4.1 per cent of all assault to injury charges (where the injury was not categorised as serious) have been given a direct measure in the last four months.

  The 904 charges relate to a total of 842 persons issued with an offer of a direct measure, out of a total of 10,688 persons offered a direct measure during the same period.

  As recommended by the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland, in its recent Thematic Report on Fiscal Fines, all of the direct measures referred to in the following tables have been monitored by senior prosecutors to ensure they accord with prosecution guidance.

  The figures include only those direct measures that were affected by the provisions in the Criminal Proceedings etc (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007.

  Charge: Assault - February to May 2009

  

Procurator Fiscal Office
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
Grand Total
Assault: Charges Reported


Aberdeen
9
17
1
2
29
566


Airdrie
9
6
9
6
30
330


Alloa
0
2
0
1
3
113


Arbroath
5
2
7
1
15
103


Ayr
3
3
3
2
11
247


Banff
0
2
0
0
2
46


Campbeltown
2
1
0
2
5
47


Cupar
3
1
1
4
9
93


Dingwall
2
0
0
2
4
83


Dornoch
2
0
0
0
2
17


Dumbarton
3
12
3
3
21
232


Dumfries
0
1
6
3
10
138


Dundee
9
3
12
14
38
325


Dunfermline
9
4
12
2
27
205


Dunoon
1
2
0
3
6
31


Duns
0
0
0
0
0
6


Edinburgh
6
4
8
6
24
640


Elgin
5
5
5
1
16
158


Falkirk
3
3
9
10
25
427


Forfar
18
4
6
2
30
59


Fort William
2
1
0
1
4
29


Glasgow
40
44
20
39
143
1,977


Greenock
0
2
1
0
3
84


Haddington
0
0
0
1
1
37


Hamilton
5
1
7
5
18
629


Inverness
6
5
1
5
17
401


Jedburgh
0
2
0
0
2
46


Kilmarnock
2
5
2
3
12
397


Kirkcaldy
16
10
14
13
53
449


Kirkcudbright
0
0
0
0
0
13


Kirkwall
1
3
1
0
5
33


Lanark
1
1
1
0
3
68


Lerwick
9
0
7
0
16
57


Linlithgow
4
8
8
10
30
205


Lochmaddy
0
1
0
3
4
11


Oban
6
3
0
0
9
42


Paisley
6
2
4
8
20
368


Peebles
0
0
0
0
0
8


Perth
0
8
6
2
16
278


Peterhead
1
5
0
1
7
112


Rothesay
0
0
0
0
0
7


Selkirk
0
1
0
0
1
16


Stirling
6
1
4
2
13
173


Stonehaven
1
2
1
1
5
29


Stornoway
6
2
1
2
11
48


Stranraer
3
2
1
1
7
51


Tain
0
1
2
0
3
89


Wick
0
7
4
5
16
70


Grand Total
204
189
167
166
726
9,593



  Charge: Assault to Injury - February to May 2009

  

Procurator Fiscal Office
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
Grand Total
Assault to Injury: Charges Reported


Aberdeen
3
2
0
2
7
316


Airdrie
2
1
1
0
4
77


Alloa
0
0
0
0
0
45


Arbroath
0
1
0
0
1
73


Ayr
0
4
1
4
9
161


Banff
1
0
0
0
1
11


Campbeltown
0
0
0
0
0
1


Cupar
1
1
1
0
3
19


Dingwall
0
0
0
0
0
1


Dornoch
0
0
0
0
0
0


Dumbarton
1
2
0
0
3
131


Dumfries
1
1
0
2
4
107


Dundee
0
0
1
0
1
74


Dunfermline
1
0
1
0
2
94


Dunoon
2
0
0
0
2
4


Duns
0
0
0
2
2
17


Edinburgh
2
7
3
11
23
711


Elgin
7
3
6
1
17
86


Falkirk
0
2
0
1
3
57


Forfar
0
0
0
0
0
34


Fort William
1
0
1
0
2
7


Glasgow
4
11
5
5
25
647


Greenock
0
1
1
0
2
71


Haddington
1
3
5
0
9
103


Hamilton
3
0
4
3
10
214


Inverness
1
1
1
1
4
63


Jedburgh
1
0
0
1
2
44


Kilmarnock
1
1
1
0
3
245


Kirkcaldy
4
5
2
0
11
132


Kirkcudbright
0
0
0
0
0
12


Kirkwall
0
0
0
0
0
0


Lanark
0
0
0
0
0
27


Lerwick
0
0
0
0
0
0


Linlithgow
6
4
4
1
15
259


Lochmaddy
0
0
0
0
0
0


Oban
0
0
0
0
0
14


Paisley
1
1
2
0
4
181


Peebles
0
0
0
0
0
14


Perth
0
0
0
0
0
21


Peterhead
2
0
0
0
2
56


Rothesay
0
0
0
0
0
2


Selkirk
2
0
0
0
2
35


Stirling
0
0
0
2
2
91


Stonehaven
0
0
1
0
1
20


Stornoway
0
0
0
0
0
0


Stranraer
1
0
0
0
1
52


Tain
0
0
0
0
0
0


Wick
0
1
0
0
1
33


Grand Total
49
52
41
36
178
4,362



  Notes:

  1. The information in this table has been extracted from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s case management database. The database is a live, operational database used to manage the processing of reports submitted to procurators fiscal by the police and other reporting agencies. If a procurator fiscal amends a charge submitted by a reporting agency, the database will record details only of the amended charge.

  2. The database is charge-based. The figures quoted therefore relate to the number of charges rather than the number of individuals charged or the number of incidents that gave rise to such charges.

  3. Procurator fiscal jurisdictions match sheriff court jurisdictions.

Livestock

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken since 27 May 2009 to request a meeting with the European Commissioner for Health regarding proposals for electronic identification for sheep.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government continues to work at ministerial and official levels with the European Commission, the UK Government and other member states to achieve the best possible solution for Scottish farmers on the EU proposals for electronic identification of sheep.

  Richard Lochhead raised electronic identification with Secretary of State Hilary Benn and other devolved administrations ministers when they met on 2 June and a common strategy was agreed for engagement across Europe. The Scottish Government has already achieved concessions on the implementation of electronic identification of sheep and further proposals are currently under consideration. Whether there will be the need to have a further meeting with the European Commissioner for Health will be considered in the light of further developments across member states and at Commission level.

Marine Environment

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-24371 by Richard Lochhead on 5 June 2009, whether it will reinstate the Moray Firth seal management plan section of its website so that stakeholders can see documents such as the Moray Firth Seal Management Code of Practice.

Richard Lochhead: We are currently updating the seal management section of the Scottish Government website. Full information on seal management in the Moray Firth, including the Code of Practice, will be available shortly.

  The Code of Practice was a working document developed specifically for the Moray Firth Seal Management Plan pilot. It was made available to stakeholders but never formally published.

  The Code of Practice is available in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (Bib. number 48276).

Ministerial Visits

Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions ministers have visited Ninewells Hospital in Dundee on official business using ministerial cars since May 2007.

John Swinney: Scottish Ministers have visited Ninewells Hospital in Dundee four times since May 2007 on official business, using ministerial cars.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-22948 by Kenny MacAskill on 7 May 2009, whether it has responsibility for policy issues relating to when police forces can deploy police armed response units and, if so, whether guidance has been issued.

Kenny MacAskill: Deployment of police armed response units is an operational matter for which responsibility lies with the chief constable of the relevant police force. Responsibility for legislation on police use of firearms is reserved to the UK Parliament.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made statutory instruments or guidance related to sections 53 to 55 of the Firearms Act 1968 relative to the authorisation of police officers to carry weapons.

Kenny MacAskill: The Firearms Act 1968 is reserved to the UK Parliament, and Scottish ministers do not have the power to make statutory instruments or guidance under sections 53 to 55.

Police

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether police forces use the Manual of Guidance on Police Use of Firearms as their policy on the deployment of police officers to carry weapons.

Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22948 on 7 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Procurement

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what safeguards are in place within Procurement Scotland to protect against overcharging.

John Swinney: Products and services contracted by Procurement Scotland are subject to competitive tender and, post award, to periodic market price comparisons to ensure they remain competitive through the life of the contract. Any changes to pricing must be approved by Procurement Scotland prior to implementation.

  Organisations buying from Procurement Scotland’s contracts employ a range of procedures to ensure integrity of pricing across the contract, order and invoice payment. These are subject to local standing financial controls.

Procurement

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken by Procurement Scotland regarding companies accused of overcharging.

John Swinney: Procurement Scotland are not aware of any currently contracted suppliers accused or fined for overcharging. Their tendering, contract and price management processes have however been developed to mitigate the potential for overcharging. Any issues found would be investigated and resolved with, in the case of overcharging, suppliers expected to generate associated credits or refunds. Ultimately, Procurement Scotland have the right within their contracts to exit if a supplier cannot assure best value or fails to act upon improvement suggestions.

Procurement

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken by Procurement Scotland regarding companies fined for overcharging.

John Swinney: Procurement Scotland are not aware of any currently contracted suppliers accused or fined for overcharging. Their tendering, contract and price management processes have however been developed to mitigate the potential for overcharging. Any issues found would be investigated and resolved with, in the case of overcharging, suppliers expected to generate associated credits or refunds. Ultimately, Procurement Scotland have the right within their contracts to exit if a supplier cannot assure best value or fails to act upon improvement suggestions.

Procurement

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration Procurement Scotland gives, within the procurement process, to reducing the carbon footprint of suppliers.

John Swinney: In developing procurement strategies, Procurement Scotland engage with key stakeholders across Scotland - including suppliers and supply chain partners of all sizes. Additionally, an extensive analysis of cost, economic, social and environmental factors within the relevant Scottish market or industry is carried out. This includes consideration of carbon footprint, energy efficiency and economic impacts, including the contribution of SMEs.

  Procurement Scotland also promote innovative supply chain offerings that support wider social and environmental considerations. Where appropriate, Procurement Scotland have adopted or exceeded published best practice promoted by DEFRA and actively encourage organisations to work with supply chain partners at all levels in the supply chain, whether as a consortium bidder; a secondary or tertiary provider; or as a delivery, logistics or end user service provider.

  Contract management activity continues to target and track continual improvement in these value add areas through the life of contracts.

Procurement

Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration Procurement Scotland gives to the benefits of smaller contracts being awarded to local small and medium-sized suppliers.

John Swinney: In developing procurement strategies, Procurement Scotland engage with key stakeholders across Scotland - including suppliers and supply chain partners of all sizes. Additionally, an extensive analysis of cost, economic, social and environmental factors within the relevant Scottish market or industry is carried out. This includes consideration of carbon footprint, energy efficiency and economic impacts, including the contribution of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

  Procurement Scotland also promote innovative supply chain offerings that support wider social and environmental considerations. Where appropriate, Procurement Scotland have adopted or exceeded published best practice promoted by DEFRA and actively encourage organisations to work with supply chain partners at all levels in the supply chain, whether as a consortium bidder; a secondary or tertiary provider; or as a delivery, logistics or end user service provider.

  Contract management activity continues to target and track continual improvement in these value add areas through the life of contracts.

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what timetable changes are proposed to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how proposed timetable changes to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr will help increase passenger numbers.

Stewart Stevenson: The December 2009 timetable has the same number and frequency of services between Stranraer and Ayr as at present although there are some time changes, better to meet the needs of commuters on the route. The timetables currently proposed are as follows:

  


Present Services to Stranraer


Ayr
0600
0800
0943
1022
1230
1338
1634
1700
1810
1838
1931
2101
2311


Girvan
0627
0826
1009
1051
1301
1405
1700
1727
1837
 
1957
2127
2337


Stranraer Harbour
 
0921
1111
 
1356
 
1755
 
 
 
2052
2222
0037


Present Services from Stranraer


Stranraer Harbour
 
0709
1000
 
1148
 
1437
 
 
1940
2110
2325
 


Girvan
0640
0801
1052
1140
1240
1440
1529
1732
1842
2037
2208
0019
 


Ayr
0708
0836
1122
1208
1309
1517
1558
1800
1908
2106
2237
0047
 


Proposed Services to Stranraer


Ayr
0545
0800
1032
1132
1232
1406
1630
1730
1836
1930
2136
2337
 


Girvan
0612
0826
1102
1159
1258
1434
1658
1757
1905
1957
2207
0007
 


Stranraer Harbour
 
0921
1157
 
1354
 
 
1852
 
2054
2302
0102
 


Proposed Services from Stranraer


Stranraer Harbour
 
0709
1007
 
1240
 
1443
 
 
1940
 
2112
2312


Girvan
0620
0801
1101
1206
1337
1440
1536
1733
1933
2037
 
2206
0006


Ayr
0650
0835
1131
1236
1406
1518
1606
1818
2018
2106
 
2236
0034

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how proposed timetable changes to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr will improve connectivity and service the needs of local commuters.

Stewart Stevenson: On the Stranraer line, the busiest flow identified is between Ayr and Girvan; these services have been retimed for December 2009. In particular, there will be a near hourly pattern at 16:30, 17:30 and 18:36 to Maybole and Girvan, this compares to existing non-regular times of 16:34, 17:00 and 18:10. The proposed times will open up commuting opportunities for workers finishing around 17:00 who presently miss the 17:00 train. A good connection is also created with the 17:30 service from Glasgow Central to Ayr into the 18:36 service.

Rail Network

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have been instigated with local community and interest groups regarding proposed changes to rail services between Stranraer and Ayr.

Stewart Stevenson: There have been discussions between ScotRail and SWESTRANS (regional partnership for transport) as part of the formal process of the December 2009 timetable consultation. Additionally, there has been several meetings on this issue between local communities, North Ayrshire Council, MSPs and support groups involving Transport Scotland, Network Rail and ScotRail.

Rail Network

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason rail services between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock via Dunlop and Kilmaurs are scheduled to run on an hourly basis, given that the timetable on page 31 of the ScotRail franchise extension amendment agreement of 2 April 2008 shows a half-hourly service on this route.

Stewart Stevenson: Priced Option 4 "Operation of Kilmarnock half hourly service and recast of G&SW timetable being Ayr to Girvan and Stranraer to Glasgow services" includes an indicative timetable developed for resourcing purposes to allow an understanding of the franchise operating costs.

  The decision to take forward the current timetable and calling pattern is based primarily on economic analysis and aspirations to improve the journey times and connections between Glasgow to Kilmarnock and beyond.

  The timetable will be based upon a half-hourly service between Glasgow and Kilmarnock throughout the day. Residents of Kilmaurs and Dunlop will benefit from this half-hourly service during peak times as well as two additional trains mid-morning and mid-afternoon. This will be an increase in trains per day at each station from 38 to 53.

Rail Network

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on what routes the eight leased class 158 units mentioned on page 29 of the ScotRail franchise extension amendment agreement of 2 April 2008 are being used.

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive on what routes the three class 158 units displaced by the leasing of loco-hauled stock on the Fife circle line, as indicated on page 29 of the ScotRail franchise extension amendment agreement of 2 April 2008, are being used.

Stewart Stevenson: Eight class 158 units, along with the three units released by the use of a loco hauled service in Fife, have been operating since December 2008. These 11 units have provided new services and delivered additional seating capacity on various routes across Scotland, including:

  Fife Circle.

  Edinburgh to Bathgate.

  Edinburgh to Stirling/Dunblane.

  Edinburgh to Newcraighall.

  Edinburgh to Aberdeen.

Rail Network

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional stock has been allocated to rail services between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock since the commencement of the ScotRail franchise agreement in 2004.

Stewart Stevenson: Two additional class 156 diesel trains, each compromising two carriages, will be allocated to Glasgow to Kilmarnock services from December 2009.

Schools

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the number of rural primary schools with a shared head teacher, broken down by local authority.

Keith Brown: The number of rural primary schools with a shared head teacher at the September 2008 census is shown in the following table. The sharing of a head teacher by two schools is seen by some local authorities as preferable to having a teaching head teacher.

  

 
Number of Schools


Aberdeenshire
11


Angus
7


Argyll and Bute
4


Dumfries and Galloway
6


Eilean Siar
8


Fife
2


Highland
50


Moray
4


Orkney Islands
6


Scottish Borders
16


Shetland Islands
4


South Lanarkshire
10


Stirling
9


West Lothian
4

Schools

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its School Estate Strategy will be published before the end of 2009 and on what date.

Fiona Hyslop: Yes. The intention now is to publish the School Estate Strategy after the summer recess.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether all severance, early retirement or redundancies of Scottish Government staff have complied with paragraph 6 of the Severance, Early Retirement and Redundancy Terms , published in January 2006 and updated on Monday 19 November 2007.

John Swinney: Where Scottish Government staff are given the opportunity to leave early under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme early severance or early retirement terms, their leaving arrangements require to take account of the guidance detailed in paragraph six of the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to modernise the law in relation to wildlife and the natural environment.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government has today published a consultation document to help inform the development of a prospective Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.

  This will contribute to securing sustainable economic activity, especially in the countryside, by ensuring that wildlife and natural environment legislation is efficient, effective and proportionate.

  The consultation seeks views on options to modernise legislation which deals with a range of wildlife and natural environment policy areas including deer management, invasive non-native species, game law and muirburn. The broad purpose of the consultation is to develop proposals which will modernise outdated statute, address anomalies and weaknesses in current provision, thereby making it more efficient and effective, and enhance the sustainable management of the natural environment for the public interest.

  The deadline for responses to the consultation is Friday 4 September 2009. Once the views expressed in consultation have been assessed, the Scottish Government’s current intention is to introduce a Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill to the Parliament at a suitable opportunity.

  Further information about the consultation, and a link to the consultation document, can be found at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current

  Copies of the consultation document have also been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48318).